Matthew 17

• Matthew 17:1 – Luke gives the time here as eight days (Luke 8:28), which skeptics count as a contradiction. However, the two authors just count days differently (exclusively vs. inclusively). To Jews, a partial day was counted as a whole day. Note here that Jesus had to exert some effort and go quite a way to get away from the crowds.
• Matthew 17:2-9 – Jesus is transfigured. See also II Peter 1:16-18; Luke 9:28-36. Other accounts tell us that Peter, James, and John fell asleep while Moses and Elijah were speaking with Jesus. Peter seemed to think of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah as equals. For a Jew, this was a great compliment, but it was still a complete misunderstanding of the power and authority of Jesus. God quickly corrects Peter’s misunderstanding, indicating that Jesus occupies a much higher place. Afterwards, Jesus comforted Peter. In verse 9, Jesus again references his own resurrection.
• Matthew 17:10-13 – This is a reference to Malachi 4:5-6. Elijah had already come in the sense of John the Baptist. See Luke 1:17.
• Matthew 17:14-20 – Jesus showed compassion on the boy. In verse 17, Jesus was possibly rebuking the meager faith of the disciples. He seemed exasperated about their lack of spiritual progress and lamenting that he didn’t have long with them.

You can’t rush the rain

• Spiritual maturity
• Developing into a Bible student / teacher
• Becoming a shepherd
• Loving your family

Patience develops in the heart

We have plenty of good examples

Study the word

• Read, context, harmony, translations

Preach the word

Apply the word

Further tips on preaching

• How do I choose a topic?
• Keep in concise.
• Control your nerves by doing all your preparing ahead of time.
• Truth first, delivery second.
• Use illustrations, stats, anecdotes, etc. wisely.
• Application
• Practice
• Try to avoid a “Concordance Lesson.”
• Make your notes easy to read at a glance.
• Be nervous but natural.

Matthew 16

Matthew 16:1-4

• See Isaiah 48:1; 50:10
• They said they wanted a sign from Jesus, but they refused to acknowledge what He had already shown them. This was hypocrisy.
• Compare Matthew 12:38-41.

Matthew 16:5-12

• The disciples were focused on physical things and missed Jesus’ point completely. Jesus was warning about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
• Compare Galatians 5:7-9.

Matthew 16:13-20

• Jesus did not set in place any order of succession for the apostles, nor for a pope.
• See Matthew 18:1-4; 14:22, 33.
• John 6:66-69; 11:27 – People were recognizing that Jesus was the Christ.
• Matthew 21:42-44; Romans 9:33
• Matthew 7:24
• I Corinthians 3:11
• Ephesians 2:20
• Jesus is the chief cornerstone. The apostles were part of the foundation. Jesus was not building His church on Peter. Jesus Himself was the cornerstone.

Matthew 16:21-28

• If Jesus had bowed to Satan at any point, His entire mission on earth would be lost. Jesus was going to complete His mission, no matter the physical consequences.